U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Statement on Senate Republicans’ obstruction of vote to protect people with pre-existing conditions

Senate Republicans Support Trump’s Expansion of Junk Plans That Don’t Have to Cover Pre-Existing Health Conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today issued the following statement after Senate Republicans objected to her request for unanimous consent to pass her legislation to overturn the Trump administration’s expansion of junk insurance plans that don’t have to provide health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

“Last fall, we all heard my colleagues across the aisle say they support protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Today, I offered an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to come together to protect people’s access to quality, affordable health care when they need it most. But Republicans objected. I’m disappointed that my Republican colleagues have chosen to object to protecting people with pre-existing conditions.

“We have a President who has sabotaged our health care system, raised health care costs and pushed junk insurance plans that don’t have to cover people with pre-existing conditions. We have an Administration that supports a lawsuit that would overturn the Affordable Care Act and protections for people with pre-existing conditions. The choice for the American people couldn’t be clearer – we want to make things better and Senate Republicans refuse to protect people with pre-existing conditions and prevent this Administration from making things worse.”

The No Junk Plans Act was led by Senator Baldwin and Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) and supported by the entire Senate Democratic caucus. The House companion legislation passed as part of H.R. 987 last Thursday, 234-183.

Earlier today, the nation’s leading health care organizations, representing tens of thousands of the nation’s physicians, patients, medical students and other health experts, have come out in strong support of the Baldwin-Jones legislation to overturn Trump’s expansion of junk plans that don’t have to cover pre-existing health conditions and essential services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care.